Top 10 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Techniques Every Beginner Should Learn

Master the 10 foundational basic BJJ moves every newcomer needs—build confidence on the mat and sharpen your defensive and offensive skills.

Table of Contents

• Essential Rash Guards for BJJ Beginners
• 1. The Hip Escape (Shrimp)
• 2. Bridge and Roll (Upa Escape)
• 3. Scissor Sweep
• 4. Closed Guard Pass
• 5. Armbar from Guard
• 6. Triangle Choke
• 7. Rear Naked Choke
• 8. Knee on Belly Escape
• 9. Collar Choke
• 10. Americana (Keylock)

Introduction: Why Learn These 10 Techniques?

When you start exploring Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques for beginners, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. As a beginner, focusing on the core moves helps you build a durable foundation. These basic BJJ moves—shrimping, escapes, sweeps and submissions—form the bedrock of your game. By drilling these ten key skills, you’ll gain muscle memory, protect yourself during sparring and set the stage for more advanced maneuvers.

Think of this guide as a roadmap. You’ll find clear steps on how to shrimp escape in BJJ, bridge and roll with confidence, and even set up a triangle choke for beginners. We’ll also tackle why the rear naked choke is so effective and what are the most effective BJJ submissions in your early months on the mat. Ready to level up? Let’s roll.

Essential Rash Guards for BJJ Beginners

Before you hit the mat, gear matters. A quality rash guard reduces friction burns, wicks moisture and keeps bacterial rashes at bay. Here are six standout styles to suit your training style:

• BJJ Shark Rash Guard – Sleek, durable shark graphic.
• Ancient Solar Crest Rash Guard – Lightweight poly-blend, UV protection.
• Aztec Serpent God Rash Guard – Bold print, four-way stretch fit.
• Batman Arkham Knight Rash Guard – Comic-inspired, reinforced seams.
• Blue Spider Battle Rash Guard – Vibrant royal blue, anti-odor finish.
• Golden Spider-Man Rash Guard – Gold foil accents, snug athletic cut.

1. The Hip Escape (Shrimp)

Also called shrimping, the hip escape is the first move in any BJJ techniques list for beginners. You use lateral hip movement to create space between you and an opponent. Proper shrimping sets up guard recovery, sweeps and many escapes.

How to shrimp escape in BJJ: lie flat, push off one foot, turn onto your side, and slide hips away from pressure. Repeat on both sides—think of sliding a chess piece across the board.

• Plant your foot firmly—as if bracing for a punch.
• Keep your elbow tucked to protect ribs.
• Avoid lifting your hips too high—stay in a 45° angle.
• Drive with your heel, not your toes.

Tip: practice drills to improve BJJ hip escape with a band around your knees for extra resistance once you’ve got the basic rhythm.

2. Bridge and Roll (Upa Escape)

The bridge and roll, or Upa escape, counters side control or mount pressure. By trapping an arm and bridging explosively you off-balance your partner, then roll them off. It’s one of those fundamental Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques that beginners love for its power-to-size ratio.

Start on your back, feet flat. Trap your opponent’s arm close to your chest, bridge high, and pivot towards the trapped side. Finish by clearing their hips and regaining guard or top position.

This move is also great for building overall hip strength and core engagement. Once you’ve mastered it, you can chain into guard passes or sweeps. It might feel awkward until you nail the timing, but it’s a must-learn basic move.

3. Scissor Sweep

Now that you can shrimp and bridge, let’s talk about one of the earliest sweeps in any BJJ techniques for beginners curriculum: the scissor sweep. From closed guard, you open one guard leg, chamber that shin across your opponent’s abdomen, then slice the other leg down like—well—a scissor. Push and pull until they topple.

• Control a sleeve and collar before initiating sweep.
• Keep your center of gravity low—stay compact.
• Angle your hips 45° for maximum leverage.
• Use momentum, not brute force—timing is key.
• Practice guard passing techniques so you can follow up smoothly.

Getting comfortable with this sweep helps you flow into mounts, back takes or even submissions once the opponent’s off balance.

4. Closed Guard Pass

Knowing how to do a basic guard pass is essential. The closed guard pass gets you from under your opponent’s legs into side control. There are many versions—stack, knee cut, double under. We’ll focus on the knee cut pass, a reliable method.

From knee-on-belly posture, slice your knee across their thigh, posture up, control the far collar, and peel open the guard. Keep your head and shoulders heavy to block re-guard attempts. Remember: pressure and patience win over rushing.

5. Armbar from Guard

The armbar from guard is often the first submission a beginner learns. It teaches wrist control, hip movement and submission mechanics. Once you break posture, secure one arm, swing a leg over their head, and lean back to apply the hyperextension.

Focus on wrist alignment—if the arm isn’t straight, the pressure won’t transmit to the elbow. A solid armbar from guard tutorial emphasizes smooth hip pivot first, then securing the arm tight to your chest. This is a staple technique in any Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques list for beginners.

6. Triangle Choke

Next up, the triangle choke. With proper triangle choke setup for beginners, you trap one arm inside your legs and angle your hips, using your legs to compress the opponent’s neck and arm. It’s a potent basic BJJ move that shows how leverage can beat size.

Break posture, slip one leg over the shoulder, lock heel to knee, then shift hips to tighten. Hands-on learning helps you feel the subtle adjustment needed. Once it clicks, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to add it to your arsenal.

7. Rear Naked Choke

What are the most effective BJJ submissions for beginners? The rear naked choke sits at the top. You control the back, seatbelt your opponent, slide one arm under the chin, lock with the other behind their head, and squeeze. Why is the rear naked choke so effective? It bypasses limbs and attacks blood flow directly.

Defensive tips matter, too: rear naked choke defense tips include tucking your chin, hand-fighting the choking arm and keeping your shoulders rounded. Practicing both sides—applying and escaping—builds a well-rounded skill set.

8. Knee on Belly Escape

Knee on belly is a dominant pressure position, but you need an escape. To get out, frame against the opponent’s hip, bridge your body away, then shrimp to rebuild guard. Timing is crucial; if you wait too long, the pressure can feel overwhelming.

This escape is part of a robust BJJ guard passing techniques toolkit. When you nail it, you’ll breathe easier under pressure and transition quickly to more offensive positions.

9. Collar Choke

The standing or seated collar choke teaches grip fighting and collar control. From guard, cross-collar grip high near the shoulder, slide the other hand deep, then rotate. Pulling both collars tight around the neck creates the blood choke. It’s straightforward but requires good posture breaks and timing.

Beginners often struggle with hand placement. Aim for the fabric near the trapezius—too low and it slips; too high and it’s inefficient. This move bolsters your understanding of pressure and collar dynamics.

10. Americana (Keylock)

The Americana or keylock is a shoulder lock you can apply from mount or side control. Pin their wrist to the mat, slide your other hand over their forearm, then lift elbows while keeping the wrist locked low. The lever action isolates the shoulder joint.

Americana submission steps include securing the wrist, creating a 90° elbow bend and using hip and torso movement to apply steady pressure. It’s a safe introduction to joint locks and an essential part of basic BJJ moves.

Recap and Next Steps

You’ve just covered ten foundational Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques that every beginner should master. From the shrimp-based hip escape to the sophisticated rear naked choke, these basic BJJ moves pave the way for confidence on the mat. Drill shrimp escapes, Upa bridges, sweeps, guard passes and submissions regularly.

Keep a training journal, set small goals (like perfecting your triangle choke setup), and review footage of these techniques in action. With consistent practice and the right rash guard gear, you’ll notice dramatic improvements in your posture, timing and body awareness.

Ready to step up your game? Lace up—grab your favorite rash guard and see you on the mats!

Updated: 05-24-2026